A dedication for a new mural in downtown Westbrook will take place on Saturday, Nov. 23, from 11 a.m. to noon at 4 Westbrook Place.

Two years ago, in an effort to draw attention to Westbrook’s downtown and commemorate its maritime history, the Economic Development Commission (EDC) began soliciting donations to fund the painting of a mural on the side of The Turtle Café facing Route 1.

Now, the painting is done, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned. Per a press release, the event will feature members of the Westbrook community who made the mural a reality, as well as artist Tony Falcone, who will answer questions and speak to the importance of public art.

The mural depicts three arches that showcase three vessels that have historical significance to Westbrook: The Turtle, the David Crockett, and a sloop.

Maritime History in Westbrook

As a shoreline town, it’s no secret that the sea is an important part of Westbrook’s identity. Today, the beaches and marinas are often named the town’s biggest attractions, but history buffs will tell you that Westbrook has historically played a significant role in American naval history as well.

One of the vessels depicted in the mural is the Turtle — America’s first submarine and the first submarine ever to be used in war. The vessel was created by David Bushnell, a Westbrook resident who grew up on a farm near the intersection of Essex and McVeagh roads during the Revolutionary War. The British eventually captured and sank the real Turtle, but a replica now sits in Westbrook’s Town Hall.

The other vessels that will be depicted in the mural are a clipper ship and a sloop.

“The large one is a clipper ship used in the trade with the Far East. It’s the David Crockett captained by Joseph Spencer of Westbrook. These ships set many travel and cargo records during the mid-19th century,” Westbrook Economic Development Chairman Jim Crawford explained during the mural’s design phase.

“The smaller boat is a sloop used in the coastal trade in New England. Many of these boats were built and sailed out of Westbrook. The island shown behind the boat is Salt Island off Westbrook shore where a vigorous trade in salt was in full swing, and the sloop’s the main transport,” Crawford said.

A Long-Term Project

Bringing the mural to completion is an initiative that dates back over five years. Progress on the mural stagnated for some time as the COVID-19 pandemic arrived and priorities shifted to helping businesses and the town navigate the pandemic. When Town Planner Peter Gillespie was hired by the town, the idea again gained steam.

First the EDC began slitting donation for the mural then earlier this year, the town signed a contract to contract with Falcone and mason Peter Joseph Brick, Block & Stone, LLC for $7,800.00

No town funds were used for the project; instead, donations were raised over the course of the year and administered by the Community Foundation of Middlesex County.

Work on the mural began during the summer of 2024.